To me, the two intriguing match ups are the Rose Bowl game between Stanford and Michigan St, and the Fiesta Bowl between Baylor and UCF. I can see the Clemson/Ohio St game being entertaining, but I tend to lean more toward Ohio St winning going away. I honestly thought they had the best chance of knocking off Florida St, outside of Alabama.

The matchup between Stanford and Michigan St is a classic, old school, smash mouth matchup. Both teams hang their hats in the trenches, with offenses that start with punishing ground games and game managing quarterbacks, combined with physical, hard hitting defenses. Both teams boast a workhorse RB that has over 1300 yards on the year, and passing games that average 202 ypg. I think the difference here tilts in Stanford’s favor in two places. I think Stanford has one of the truly elite defensive front sevens in all of football. MSU hasn’t faced a front seven this punishing and physical. Also, I think that Stanford’s change of pace backs and playmakers on the perimeter will make a play or two that changes the game.

Stanford swarming to the ball

The next matchup between Baylor’s NCAA leading offense and the UCF Knights, the BCS debut for both schools. This is intriguing because on paper, Baylor’s high powered offense should run UCF off the field, however with the attention that Blake Bortles is getting as a potential top-10 NFL draft pick, you have to think that he will be able to keep UCF in the game. This will be a big test for him and I think he will rise to the challenge. Also, it’s possible he has the hottest gf in the NCAA cheering him on so even if his performance falls flat, I’m sure he will be ok.

Recruits are transferring to UCF at the moment

What are your thoughts on the upcoming match ups?

STILTZ

I love the Rose Bowl matchup this year, it should be an instant classic. If you love old school hard nosed football this is your game. It should be a low scoring affair in Pasadena and I’m leaning towards Michigan State to win this game. I think their season has been off the radar for the most part due to an early loss at Notre Dame. That turned out to be their only blemish of the year. It also turned out to be their only close game of the year as they have won all of their games by an average of 18 points.

The strength of schedule advantage goes to Stanford, as they have played the cream of the crop over in a strong PAC-12 conference this year; whereas Michigan St has only played three ranked opponents(Michigan,Ohio St,Notre Dame) in a weak B1G conference. Both schools have great coaching, Stanford has the edge running the ball and I think it’s a tie throwing the ball. You won’t find a closer matchup this BCS bowl season, it should be a fun one. My final score prediction is Michigan State 16 Stanford 13. If all you care about is scoring, then you should probably turn your attention towards the Fiesta/Orange bowls.

For everything that the Rose Bowl will be, the Fiesta Bowl is its polar opposite. It is going to be a shootout, anybody remember the game Baylor and Washington had a couple of years ago in the Alamo Bowl?? This game has all the makings of another high scoring matchup, except this one is in a BCS bowl. Baylor has that high powered offense led by Petty but the Knights have one of the top NFL prospects in next year’s draft, Bortles. People always sleep on the American conference, formerly Big East, when it comes to BCS bowl games. The last two years should have changed that, West Virginia 70 Clemson 33 2012 and Louisville 33 Florida 23 2013.

The Sugar Bowl was Terry Bridgewater’s coming out party last year and I expect Bortles to surprise a lot of people this year as he torches that Baylor defense. You know I love those underdogs, and look no farther than the UCF Knights one of the surprise teams of the year. I like the Knights to win this Videogame matchup 56-52.

Bortles!!!

Other predictions: Urban Meyer in BCS bowl games, how can you bet against the guy? He is too good of a coach and I expect Ohio St to crush Clemson 45-24. Another great coach who always wins big games is Nick Saban. I expect Alabama to come out and make a huge statement to the rest of the NCAA that they should have been playing for another national title, Alabama 34 Oklahoma 10.

Let’s talk about the SHIP, Ush. Who do you like in this game and why?

USH

I’m with you on the other two games, and in the ship I am going with Jameis Christ. It’s really quite staggering what Florida State has done this year. With the exception of Boston College, they have blown out EVERYONE. It’s hard for me because given the way that Auburn has gotten into the natty, its hard to not believe that they are a team of destiny. Unfortunately for them, they are playing a fast, athletic defense that swarms to the ball. I think their speed and physicality will negate the Auburn running game, and I don’t think they can keep it close without their running game being a big factor.

Who you got?

STILTZ

Yeah I was really hoping to see Florida State vs Alabama, because I thought it would be a better matchup. I’m taking Florida State as well, I just think they have the best defense and one of the top offenses in the country. They have a great coaching staff, Stoops really has that defense running on all cylinders. I think the coaching staff will have them ready to roll come January 6th. You’re right, Auburn has been in some crazy finishes this year and luck has been on their side. I think their luck runs on out on Monday and Florida State cruises to it’s first title since 1999. It’s going to be nice next year when we get to watch the 4-team College Football playoff, “can’t wait!”-Bart Scott Voice Enjoy the bowl games, and Happy New Year everybody.